Fire with Fire: New Female Power and How It Will Change the Twenty-First Century

by Naomi Wolf

In her bestselling book The Beauty Myth, Naomi Wolf sought to change the way in which women see themselves in relation to their bodies. Now she focuses on how they see themselves in relation to power.

She argues that the feminist movement has to change if it is to speak to a new generation of women, and that, even as women are gaining more ground than ever before, a wariness of feminist orthodoxies keeps them away from the only movement capable of putting political clout behind their personal success. The book represents a call to women to throw off centuries of conditioning about the relationship between power and femininity.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Gender, Womens, Politics, Sociology, Womens Studies

400 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Naomi Wolf is the author of seven books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Beauty Myth, The End of America and Give Me Liberty. She has toured the world speaking to audiences of all walks of life about gender equality, social justice, and, most recently, the defense of liberty in America and internationally. She is the cofounder of the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, which teaches ethics and empowerment to young women leaders, and is also a cofounder of the American Freedom Campaign, a grass roots democracy movement in the United States whose mission is the defense of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Reviews

[Virtuella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent and I recommend it to everybody. Wolf analyzes in a clear, differentiated and personally honest manner the double standards and intellectual dishonesty of a particular branch of feminism - that which cast women in the roles of eternal, saintly victims and declares men to be "the enemy" - and how this "victim feminism" has damaged and still damages the struggle for women's rights. She makes it clear that women do not have to proove that they are somehow better than men in order to claim their fair share of the world - we are entitled to it simply because we are human beings. The passages about acknowledging men's full humanity as well as women's and about embracing a positive concept of female sexuality are particularly inspiring.

If I have a problem with the book it is the way power and money are presented as the primary solution. I love to see sucessful women and I cheer them on where I can, and I completely agree with Wolf that women can and should aspire to positions of power and wealth. However, it remains a fact of life that serious power and wealth can only ever be acquired by a few. The majority of women (like the majority of men) will remain ordinary citizens with moderate financial means. I'd like Wolf to explain more clearly what her vision for this majority is.

[Britta Böhler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read this after almost 25 years just to see how much of what Wolf predicted didn't happen...

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not one of Wolf's more popular books (written in 1993, her follow-up to The Beauty Myth), it is to date my favourite book on feminism. Wolf disseminates and contrasts two schools of modern feminist thinking patterns: victim feminism and power feminism. The differences can be subtle or stark, and Wolf lists copious examples of each. Unsurprisingly, she favours power feminism. There is one sentence that can summarize the trajectory of the entire book: "It is time to turn outward in a fair and goal-oriented way, time to trade preaching to the converted for negotiating with the opposition from a position of strength".

As I read Fire with Fire, I kept thinking how much today's radical feminists need to read it, specifically the ones that use angry, hyper-politicized messaging (victim feminism). Wolf is controversial and often polarizing amongst feminists though, and many of her arguments in this book would not be well-received by young feminists in 2015. An example: "The other side of the feminist demand for men to learn to listen should be the feminist responsibility for women to learn to speak." I suspect some feminists would not want any additional burden placed on themselves to be strong and brave. It's men that need to acquiesce, they might say. Nevertheless, Wolf offers a helpful and useless analysis (for men too!).

My favourite theme in the book is Wolf's argument that women need to embrace the market and that the feminist left needs to get over its "reflexive anti-capitalism". Wolf is a liberal (and writes that capitalism is inherently exploitative -- which I disagree with), so I especially appreciate her opening up here. Again, some 2015 feminists will not be comfortable with this, but Wolf offers some good ideas on how feminists and women can embrace commerce to do good and to set ethical terms of doing business. In one of her more recent speeches (about The End of America I think), she said "money is neutral -- it's energy". I agree, and money can be used for social change. My personal brand of feminism is a more libertarian feminism (as opposed to big government feminism), so I would like to see 2015 feminists embracing the dollar more (Independent Women's Forum is a good example of this). As I have learned from animal activism, making progress sometimes entails what feels like "sleeping with the enemy".

The books is more than 20 years old now, but it is as relevant now, if not more than it was in 1993. Some things have changed since then, but some things really haven't.

"Power feminism moves mountains with astonishing ease, even as victim feminism spins its wheels over the same manicured ground."

[JULIE · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book quite a few years ago, and it changed the way I thought about feminism. So much of what was written previous to Fire With Fire was about how women have been victimized. Naomi Wolf turned that attitude on its head with a powerful paradigm shift: As long as we think of ourselves as victims, we remain powerless.

[Rosemary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this more than 10 years after publication , the issues of North American feminism from that time do not seem so compelling in the face of greater problems today such as the prevalence of recreational rape and rape as a weapon of war and the massive growth in human trafficking.

[Cep Subhan KM · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has been translated as "Gegar Gender: Kekuasaan Perempuan Menjelang Abad 21" by Omi Intan Naomi and published by Pustaka Semesta Press in 1999. Naomi Wolf is my favorite contemporary feminist figure and so I enjoy reading it just like when I read her other books.

The most interesting part of the book I think is part three, "Victim Feminism versus Power Feminism", in which she criticizes " Victim Feminism" who seeks power through an identity of powerlessness (for instance, in Indonesia we found a common case when female got problem with male in the street, even if the female is wrong, people will be on her side as long as she shows her powerlessness, for example by crying). It is a kind of self-criticism and I like it because a thinker without an ability to self-criticizing her/himself is not a good thinker I think: we are human and there is nothing called as perfect human.

[Luanne Coachman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire with Fire provides an excellent reminder that what we think we know about women and how they differ from men is based on adaptations imposed by thousands of years of patriarchy. It stands for the proposition that the differences we see are not innate and that true feminism supports the freedom of each individual to discover and express their true selves.

[Yuki Schofield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for anyone raising a girl, I feel like this book would serve parents better than many ‘parenting ‘ books out there. The author really unpacks the ways boys and girls are socialized so differently in regards to leadership, competition, power and team work, and how this plays out thought adult life.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ‘BEAUTY MYTH’ AUTHOR OFFERS SOME ‘CONSTRUCTIVE’ IDEAS FOR FEMINISM

Author and journalist Naomi Wolf wrote in the Preface to this 1993 book, “The main message of [this book] is this: In the First World, and certainly in the United States, political equality---indeed, political primacy---is within women’s grasp, if they choose to seize it. Women are far more powerful than they know, have far more leverage than they are using, and can raise their voices to make rapid, sweeping, irrefutable change in the conditions of their lives. To do so, however, women must stop thinking of themselves as the passive victims of history and understand that they can determine not only their own fate, but that of the rest of the world… women can be effectively in charge---in political terms---once they realize their power as the majority…

She continues, “I offer an overview of what is working magnificently for women in the drive to dismantle male privilege… but I also try to clear away the dead weight of what is truly not working in feminism. Some feminists feel that by addressing in public the shortcomings of the movement, I have shown a kind of disloyalty. But my motive… is a constructive one… I see no alternative to ridding ourselves of this dead weight, as angry as that may make some traditional feminists… The refrain I heard from the women I listened to on my travels… is that they felt estranged from a women’s movement that sometimes used a rigid women-versus-men language, and presents only one set of attitudes as correctly ‘feminist.’ In light of this, I sought to give voice to the unlabeled feminism of the majority of women who long for equality but shun the movement. To reclaim our own best spirit and this majority of women, we must return feminism to its best roots as an egalitarian, humanistic, tolerant, intellectually open, FAIR civil rights movement, and reject any hint of any idea … that involves notions of female superiority or male inferiority.” (Pg. xv-xvi)

She goes on, “As I define it, victim feminism is when we trap ourselves in a ‘helpless victim’ self-image that blinds us to our strengths. It is not the act of protesting one’s victimization; it is the act of stopping short of using one’s power. For example:… a Take Back the Night March is power feminism, but Brown University women who write the names of alleged date-rapists on the walls of the women’s room are engaged in victim feminism: their action … does not demand structural change, it does not confront the men in question with their accusers, nor does it give them the opportunity to respond to the charge.” (Pg. xxvii)

She adds, “Another source of controversy … is my insistence that being pro-choice should not be used as a litmus test to exclude women from a movement for their rights… Do we define feminism as a civil rights movement that applies to all women without exception, ir is it a partisan movement with a specific partisan agenda?” (Pg. xviii)

She adds in the Introduction (which was written BEFORE the Preface), “In [this book] I will argue that we are at what historians of women’s progress call an ‘open moment.’ 25 years of dedicated feminist activism have hauled the political infrastructure into place… But three obstacles stand in our way: Many women and their movement have become estranged; one strand of feminism has developed maladaptive attitudes, and women lack a psychology of female power to match their new opportunities.” (Pg. xxvi)

She continues, “I’ll show that there are and have always been two different approaches within feminism. One---‘victim feminism,’ as I define it---casts women as sexually pure and mystically mustering, and stresses the evil done to these ‘good’ women as a way to petition for their rights. The other, which I call ‘power feminism,’ sees women as human beings---sexual, individual, no better or worse than their male counterparts---and lays claim to equality simply because women are entitled to it. Victim feminist assumptions about universal female goodness and powerlessness, and male evil, are unhelpful in the new moment for they exalt … outdated attitudes women need least right now.” (Pg. xxvii)

She notes, “Profound as is Susan Faludi’s insight---that men fear feminism because the fear the loss of the breadwinner role---that loss is only one of a hail of blows raining down on the Masculine Empire. While that loss dislodges man from his position as ruler of the home, other events combine with it to dislodge him from a place he has occupied throughout recorded history: his position in the center of the universe, his position, in metaphor if not in fact, as ruler of the world.” (Pg. 16)

She explains, “power feminism … means taking practical giant steps instead of ideologically pure baby steps; practicing tolerance rather than self-righteousness. Power feminism encourages us to identify with one another primarily through the shared pleasures and strengths of femaleness, rather than through our shared vulnerability and pain. It calls for alliances based on economic self-interest and economic giving back rather than on a sentimental and unworkable fantasy of cosmic sisterhood.” (Pg. 53)

She points out, “the number of women willing to identify themselves with the word ‘feminist’ slipped steadily through the 1980s even as support for women’s rights steadily rose… about twice as many women believe in the goals of the women’s movement as are willing to use the word ‘feminist.’… The result is a paralysis of women’s political will. ‘Feminism’ should mean, on an overarching level, nothing more complicated than women’s willingness to act politically to get what they determine that they need… many women view the weapons of pro-woman politics with distaste… just as a view of feminism divorced from women’s lives is sterile, a woman’s life divorced from a view of feminism she can act upon is half helpless.” (Pg. 59)

She argues, “One of the biggest problems with feminism in many women’s perception is that it has become a checklist of attitudes. Women feel there is no 'line-item veto' for feminism… most women are deeply resistant to committing themselves to what they see as an unwieldly package of attitudes that others have cobbled together … now they feel uncomfortable merely sticking up for themselves, because they risk being seen as allied to a whole assortment of convictions they do not necessarily endorse… many women identify feminism with specific issues that may or may not include them, rather than with a theory of self-worth that applies to every woman’s life without exception… Thus, feminism stopped being seen as guaranteeing every women’s choice… and fell captive to social attitudes held only by a minority that often could not even reach agreement among its own members.” (Pg. 60-61)

She outlines, “These are some of the theories that came to be perceived as political road maps rather than as intellectual provocations: *All Men Are Rapists… *All Heterosexual Sex is Rape... *All Intercourse is Rape… *All Women are Lesbians… *Feminists Want Men and Women to Be the Same.” (Pg. 121-123)

She observes, “The basic idea behind ‘difference feminism’ is sound. The opposition calls traditionally feminine qualities---nurturing, intuition, emotionality… listening rather than speaking---weakness, and values them less highly than the traditionally male values of assertiveness, reason… Difference feminism provided a way of looking at ‘feminine’ qualities that turned them into a separate, coherent system that is not inferior to men’s.” (Pg. 175)

She asks, “Why should the sentence ‘I want to make love,’ when spoken to a man, subordinate a woman?... Where is the story I recognize? The story of how male sexuality has comforted me when I was sad, energized when I was listless, grounded me when I was feeling tentative, and been to me the source of creativity?... I want men, male care, male sexual attention. This desire doesn’t necessarily make a woman a slave or an addict… Male sexual attention is the sun in which I bloom… There has got to be room in feminism for these loyalties, too; for a radical heterosexuality, an eros between men and women that does not diminish female power, but affirms it.” (Pg. 186) She adds, “We must do a better job of separating hating male violence and sexism from hating men.” (Pg. 188)

Not surprisingly, this book was controversial; but it is well worth considering for feminists, as well as other contemporary women.

[Ritu Anand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Naomi Wolf's writing. It took me awhile to get through this book mainly because the writing is serious. Though this book was written in the 90s, the content is still extremely relevant. Naomi Wolf deconstructs the feminist movement into the concept of victim feminism versus the concept of power feminism. She discusses women's relationships with one another and with power and how the 90s sparked a movement among women when Anita Hill spoke out about sexual harassment and Clarence Thomas. This book caused me to re-think how I have (successfully) related to other women and if that is because I have mastered the art of "connection" which women are encouraged to focus on instead of healthy competition. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in feminism.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to feminist classics, Naomi Wolf's The Beauty Myth rides pretty high up on every list I've ever seen. Yet I feel Fire With Fire definitely deserves a spot on anyone's 'must-read feminist books' list.

In this book, Wolf analyzes and contrasts the two most common feminist schools of thought; victim feminism and power feminism, and whilst her studies into both are eye opening, it's little surprise that she favours power feminism as the way in which the movement should progress.

As others have commented though, I do feel there is too much of a focus on the power of wealthy women and perhaps some further insight into how those with lesser means/status could be helped up would be beneficial for all.

[Rafaela Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favourite book. Provides a feminism that is empowering rather than depressing or judgmental, and treats women as adults with agency, rather than as idealised victims. Without denying the impact of patriarchy, Wolf discusses the ways we can make feminism more effective, on both a societal and individual level. The first feminist book I’ve read that invited me to challenge my own preconceived notions about women and men, and consider their origins. The chapters about the psychology of different branches of feminism, namely “victim feminism” and “power feminism”, were gripping and thought-provoking. Wholeheartedly recommend.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in an undergraduate sociology course at Kent State University in the mid-90s and then met the author when she was the guest speaker at one of the school's regional satellite campuses. I found her and her ideas in Fire with Fire reasonable and approachable. I know contemporary discourse has turned with hostility on straight white feminists, but I have not. I don't remember much of the book other than that enjoyed reading it and talking briefly with her after her speech.

[Shazza Hoppsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profoundly affected me as a young career woman when I read it. Took away align yourself with men you respect that support you for the right reasons. It worked for me.

[Nurliah]

Membaca tulisan naomi wolf seakan menghadirkan lagi kesan mendalam terhadap kepiawaiannya mengartikulasikan gagasan. Wolf patut mendptkan tempat tersendiri dlm wacana feminisme,bkn sj karena ia tak risih dan canggung menyandang predikat feminis tetapi jg krn upayax mengikis apa yg ia sebut sbg feminis phobia. Wolf berkeyakinan bhw tdk ada yg salah n tdk ada cacatx mjd feminis dan tdk perlu melakukan pengingkaran2 hy agar selamay dr tudingan masyarakat. Menghindar tdk akan menolong pihak lain untuk menerima feminisme secara wajar.

[Ratna Herlina]

Power Feminism by Naomi Wolf is explained that women have to share their pleasure and strength of femaleness rather than share their pain. They also have to be equal to men in term of many sectors, such as ambition, independent, they also have to express theirselves without any under pressure. They have to set themselve free. They have to have good opportunities as well as men. They can be feminine and they still can be feminist too. Femininity is good and fun. Femininity is positive and empowering

[Noelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

After being so inspired by the Beauty Myth I anxiously awaited Naomi Wolf's next book and this was disappointed.

I saw her interviewed for this book tour and found a disconnect between what she was saying she wanted to achieve with this book and what I read. The gist is we need to jettison the victim mentality and claim our power. I am all for that, but did not find anything in the book that resonated with that message

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buku ini saya baca awal awal masa kuliah. Sangat recomended buat yang sedang mempelajari feminisme. Buat para feminis ini buku yang wajib dibaca. terlepas dari ideologgi Wolf dan pandangannya ttg feminisme. Menurut saya ini buku yang dapat menceritakan fakta dan issue kewanitaan dengan lugas, extraordinary dan bener bener membuka mata kita.

[Bridget]

My first feminist book. I loved that she doesn't rant or have angry overtones. Her comments and perspective are supported with facts, newspaper articles and specific examples, leaving the readers to draw their own conclusions.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is very promising; the execution doesn't follow as well. It is a hopeful book, but the writing feels rushed and not nearly as well edited as I would have thought, given The Beauty Myth.

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that explains how women could run America in a few years if they wanted to make the effort. So good I always want to tell everyone on the bus to shut up, right now, and listen to this page I'm reading.

[Pera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gegar Gender, terjemah Indonesianya...
buku tebal ini terpaksa kubaca demi syarat mengikuti training LKK.
isinya...cenderung emosional.tapi cukup menarik kok...

[Kristen]

I'm reading this book as part of the Dangerous Reading Challenge

http://dangerouslychallenge.blogspot....

[Velvetink]

bought for daughter

[Kaethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read it I thought more highly of it. In retrospect, Wolf has been not very helpful to the work of feminism for some time.

[Kathleen Fortune · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's one of those books that your feminist self wants to love, but I just didn't find it to be that well written.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required college reading.
Review: Everyone has an opinion.

[Béibhínn Bonham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love feminism but I found this to be a challenging read for me.

[Keiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite work by Wolf, but still an interesting collection of essays.

[Doris Raines · Rating 4 out of 5]

A. Great. Book. I. Cannot. Wait. To. Own. Doris